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Adding the underrated Trevor Ariza (#1) to the
already potent duo of Harden (#13) and Dwight
Howard (#12) will ease the loss of Chandler Parsons.
going to be very good for us,” McHale said. “I
like Troy Daniels. Troy got my eye because
he dove on a ball in Denver and was fighting
in a game. It was a back-to-back, long trip, I
know the guys were tired. He went out there
and battled and right away I said I like this kid.”
Houston might have some question marks
heading into the season, but McHale has
no doubt this current crop of youngsters
has what it takes to make the most of their
opportunities. “Some of those guys are going
to step up and do well and we’re going to
need them to. Ish Smith, Isaiah Canaan, those
guys are going to have to step up and play
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well for us. Joey Dorsey’s been in Europe.
Tough kid, going to rebound, do stuff,” McHale.
But it’s not just McHale who believes in
this group, one current face of the franchise
is equally optimistic about what they are
capable of doing.
“Myself, Trevor Ariza, JT Terry and James
Harden, all that experience, we can really help
the young guys,” Howard said. “We’re all going
to have those bad games or those moments
where we go through adversity on the floor.
We just got to learn how to fight through them
as a team and it’s on me, James and the rest
of the vets to lead by example when we have
those moments. We’ve been through the worst
and it’s only going to make us better.”
With the pick-and-roll combination of
Harden and Howard, the Rockets won’t be
lacking in options down the stretch. The key
will be how the rest of the lineup fares with
the obvious attention on its two stars. There
will be plenty of open shots for the other
three guys on the floor. If a few capable young
candidates from the Rockets roster emerge
to alleviate some scoring from the All-Star
duo, expect that Houston remains a viable
contender in the West.
OUTLOOK
On paper, it looks like the Rockets figure to
take a step back after losing Asik, Casspi, Lin
and Parsons. And if Houston can’t find better
balance between offense and defense, this
could be a long year in Clutch City.
But there’s little question about their starting
five and ability to score, but with a number
of unproven yet talented players counted
on to step up, the Rockets are a team that
really could go either way. They could rise
up and surprise some people by making a
push into the top four in the West. Then again,
they could be fighting for one of the last two
playoff spots, which wouldn’t surprise anyone.
“Well, I think we learned a lot the whole
year,” Howard said of last season. “One thing
that we talked about all summer is never taking
any possessions off, understanding that each
moment of the game counts.”
A 50-win season—no easy feat in the
Western Conference—is not outside the realm
of possibility for the Rockets. Once in the
postseason, the team’s improved defense will
actually reap dividends.
SPOTLIGHT:
James Harden/Dwight Howard
Since Harden and Howard share top billing, it’s only fair to discuss them both. Last season was their first together with the Rockets and
with a year of experience, expect that chemistry to be even better in year two.
“We had a pretty good season last year, especially for me and Dwight’s first time being together. This year’s going to be even better,” Harden
said. “We figured each other out. I think we’re familiar with each other, not only me and Dwight, but Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones and
the other guys as well.”
That strong bond between Harden and Howard extends to the rest of the Rockets, who are a very close team. In fact, if Houston does
rise up and become a surprise contender in the West, it could be due to great team chemistry, which all starts with their two best players.
For the Rockets to reach championship heights, the duo have to work on different things. For Harden, it means dedicating himself on the
defensive end. While popular YouTube compilations might paint Harden as the worst defender ever, he’s actually better than the out-of-context
footage might suggest. Still, Harden has to get better. He might have Howard as the last line of defense, but he needs to minimize opportunities
for the opposition to penetrate past the first line of defense.
Howard, on the other hand, has to step up and be a more dependable option on the low post, especially when Harden is not on the floor.
Howard needs to be a threat in the paint to command double-teams, creating space for the Rockets’ shooters to bomb away.
If they both step up respectively, the Rockets can be a huge threat in a short playoff series.